NEW JERSEY REPEALS DEATH PENALTY

Hooray for the state of New Jersey, the first to repeal the death penalty in more than a generation.

Jeremy Peters reports today on the web page of The New York Times:

"Gov. Jon S. Corzine signed into law a measure repealing New Jersey’s death penalty on Monday, making the state the first in a generation to abolish capital punishment. . . .

"In an extended and often passionate speech from his office at the state capitol, Mr. Corzine declared an end to what he called “state-endorsed killing,” and said that New Jersey could serve as a model for other states.

"“Today New Jersey is truly evolving,” he said. “I believe society first must determine if its endorsement of violence begets violence, and if violence undermines our commitment to the sanctity of life. To these questions, I answer yes.”"